Selected quotations from Maitreya, Benjamin Creme's Master, and Mr. Creme elucidate that most important gift, Service.

We present a selection of quotations on the theme of service – from Maitreya (Messages from Maitreya the Christ, and Maitreya’s Teachings – The Laws of Life), Benjamin Creme’s Master (A Master Speaks), and Benjamin Creme’s writings.

When you see Me, you will understand the reasons for your presence in the world.

You are here, My friends, to serve the Plan of God.

You are here, each of you, from love of your brothers.

You are here, too, to learn, to expand your knowledge of that Plan and to progress along the Path.

That is the truth of your existence at this time.

Take heed, then, of this opportunity which I present to you: to share with Me in My work of succour, to ease My burden, to unfold the God within you and to lead your brothers to the Light. (Maitreya, from Message No. 94)

A new world is in the making and requires the involvement of all: all have a part to play. (Benjamin Creme’s Master, from ‘The Voice of Maitreya’)

Be prepared to take hold of the future with both hands and fashion a world of beauty. Eschew despair and create with joy and love, knowing that the future stands ready for your embrace. (Benjamin Creme’s Master, from ‘The path to the future’)

As soon as a degree of contact with the soul is made, the person begins to desire to serve the world in some way. The purpose of the soul is to serve; that is why it comes into incarnation. (Benjamin Creme, Maitreya’s Mission Volume Three)

My aim is to make known My Presence in the world at the earliest possible moment, and so begin My Work in the full light of day.

This will mean strenuous work by those who now accept that I am among you.

Make known to all that I am here, and pave smooth My path.

My plan is to release into the world a certain Teaching, which will show men that there exists a new approach to living, a new way forward into the future time.

May you be among the first to recognize Me, and through you I may work.

Take upon yourselves this task.

There is none higher which you could do in this life. Commit yourself to this work and serve your brothers.

I am desirous that the world should know of My Presence, should quickly accept Me, and, hopefully, follow My lead.

I am sure that you will not fail Me.

I am certain that you will not reject this privilege, this gift of service; but will willingly take it upon your shoulders, to ease the burden of My Task. My Blessings are upon you all. (Maitreya, from Message No. 5)

One cannot place service too high as a path to gain spiritual enlightenment, because enlightenment itself is awakening to the role of service. The Masters call Their work the Great Service, and as we evolve to eventual Masterhood we come to realize that throughout cosmos there is really only one great law governing the whole activity of what we call divinity – that is service. God comes into incarnation, creates the manifested universe, and the units of God, of which we are the reflection, come into incarnation specifically
to serve. There is no other motive. It is to serve the Plan, which itself is service. (Benjamin Creme, Maitreya’s Mission Volume One)

Service is getting down to it, doing the everyday jobs in a rhythm that you can sustain, which will engage your energy, strength and concentration, but not to the point of totally overtaxing it. That is finding the right rhythm – getting the maximum out of yourself with some conservation of energy.

To have a reasonable rhythm you have to recognize priorities and learn to choose between even major priorities. Nobody can do everything. You have to choose that which is the most valuable to the Plan, to the task at hand, and do that as the number one priority. At the same time you have the responsibilities of life. It is not in talking to the media or sitting in Transmission Meditation that you take initiation. It is in life, and only in life, that you undergo the transformations in character, the purification of both
motive and bodies which allow you to take initiation. We are responsible for our duties – the human responsibilities of family life, professional life and so on. All of that has to be met as fully as we can. At the same time we have the duty of service.

The problem for the disciple is that he is in the world, and yet, in a sense, he is not of the world. He has to maintain this double relationship: both feet totally in life, relating with everything and everyone that comes his way, learning to cope with all of that and at the same time maintaining an isolation, an inner sense of himself as a disciple, in the midst of that maelstrom. For a disciple, life is more difficult than for everyone else. Imagine a great river in flood. Where the water goes between the supports of a
bridge, it is unhindered, meets no obstacle. When it hits the supports, these take the full weight of the flood. The disciple is the support of the bridge and necessarily takes the impact, the strains and stresses of life itself. It is not easy to be a disciple. You have to find a balance. Nobody can tell you. You have to do it in your own way, from your common sense. (Benjamin Creme, Maitreya’s Mission Volume Two)

Clearly, many hands will be needed in the creation of the new society. Many are the tasks to be performed. Many are the adjustments which must be made. All who wish to serve will hear the call to service ringing in their hearts and from the heart will they respond. The united voice of the people of all lands calling for justice and sharing will set up an invocation which nothing can resist. Thus will the world be transformed. Thus, gradually, will the new forms be created, the new relationships forged, a new and happier era
dawn for humanity under the guidance of the Christ and the Masters. (Benjamin Creme’s Master, from ‘A new era dawns’)

Service is the lever of the evolutionary path. Through service we learn to identify with that which we serve, and so a shift occurs in our centre of focus. It shifts from the personal, the selfish, to the impersonal, the unselfish. And, in doing that, we identify more and more with more and more. The way is through service. That is why it was instituted by the Christ in Palestine, as a lever for the evolutionary process, because, as we begin to serve, we become more and more decentralized, we identify with more and more,
until we can identify with everything that is. And when we can identify with everything that is, we are everything that is. We are God. We release our Divinity. (Benjamin Creme, The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom)

My Plan is working out, but will entail the greatest service and sacrifice from those among you who accept that I am in the world.

If you can make known this fact on a wide enough scale, it will not be long indeed till the world knows My face.

My aim is to shorten this time yet further, but an early declaration of My Presence depends on you, depends on your will to serve.

Become My people, and do this work for Me.

Become My friends, and serve your brothers.

Become My children, and know God.

This is no easy task I set you, for men are blind.

But when mankind knows that I am here, I am certain that it will respond from its heart, and let Me lead.

My people are everywhere.

Join them.

Become one of them.

Make this life a crowning achievement, and take part in the Great Plan.

I ask you to do this because you have come into the world for this.

You are here, not by chance, but to serve at this time your brothers and sisters.

Seize then this opportunity, presented to you with love. (Maitreya, from Message No. 7)

There comes a time in the history of each nation when its soul quality begins to manifest itself more powerfully and to give rise to the appearance of major figures in the realms of art or science, politics or religion. When this happens, we see the emergence of influential men and women who give colour and coherence to a nation’s endeavours. Deeply creative, they inspire those around them with their vision, and help to create the culture of their time. They are the disciples and initiates who articulate for others the
genius of their nation.

At the present time, we await the arrival of such powerful figures on the world’s stage. Trained by the senior members of the Esoteric Hierarchy, there now exists a group of spiritually oriented men and women equipped to deal effectively with the problems of the time. When the call sounds forth, which soon it will, they will take up the work for which they have been prepared: the reconstruction of our planetary life along entirely new lines.

Working in all fields, this group of dedicated disciples will show the way for humanity to follow. Coming as they do from many nations, they will be able to focus and channel the aspirations of all people for a world of peace and justice. They are, for the most part, unknown at present, but soon their names and work will bring a light to men’s eyes, inspiring them with hope and expectation of a better future. They work today unseen but are ready to put their gifts and training at the service of the race. They will be known
for their altruistic love and wise judgement; for their sense of duty and dedication to their task. Trained by Masters, they will reflect something of Their detachment and knowledge, bringing a new rhythm and order into our chaotic world. (Benjamin Creme’s Master, from ‘The emergence of great servers’)

The Master Djwhal Khul wrote about service: “True service is being in the right place and staying there.” That means being in the right position to serve, wherever you are called to. That might be at home, or at the farthest corner of the earth. But being in the right situation vis-a-vis your soul’s purpose. And staying there, being steadfast. That is what is meant by staying there. Being steadfast.

People say: ‘‘Where am I meant to be? Am I where I am meant to be? Am I doing what I am meant to do?’’ … It is the knowledge that the soul has its purpose, and that people are meant to respond to soul purpose. But it does not mean that they are meant to be in California or Ohio or New York or wherever. It is not that specific.

Nor is it that there is only one possible field of service for any individual. The soul knows best where your field of service is. But unless you are in touch with the soul, you do not know. So the thing is to just get going at what draws you, attracts you, and if you are sufficiently responsive to your soul, you can be sure your soul will guide you to the right field of service. That is being in the right place. And the steadfastness is staying there. (Benjamin Creme, Maitreya’s Mission Volume One)

Today, as never before, to those who would travel more quickly along the evolutionary path is proffered an unique opportunity to serve and grow. Taking upon themselves the task of transformation and thus serving the Plan and the world, they can set new standards by which spiritual progress is measured and speed the process for humanity as a whole. This is the challenge of this time. Disciples today have the opportunity to quicken the evolutionary process for all those who will follow, thus serving the Plan of the Logos in a
most potent fashion. Serve and grow. Serve and grow. That is the key to progress on the path. (Benjamin Creme’s Master, from ‘A new era dawns’)

There is no reason why people should not serve while they are getting on with clearing away the rubbish of the personality, but people do not. They say: “I will serve when I am ready, and I will be ready when I am clear, and I will be clear when I do this and that, when I meditate for the next 50 years, or when I go through this rebirthing and that releasing and go to this guru and that group, and so on.” They do not get around to serving. That is what I am talking about. I am putting the emphasis on the role of service in
the evolution of the disciple. You may be talking about the activity of the aspirant. I am talking about disciples. Probationary disciples also are tested and called upon to serve. It is their proven capacity to serve which makes them full-fledged disciples. The need of the disciple is to serve. The beauty of the disciple is his service. Because the disciple is already in touch with his soul, if he does not use in service the energy which comes to him from the soul, he becomes neurotic, it turns bad on him. The neuroses of disciples are the outcome of
their wrong use, or non-use, of soul energy. (Benjamin Creme, Maitreya’s Mission Volume One)

I know God’s Purpose.

I teach His Plan.

I long to serve.

I greet the New Day.

I bring Joy.

I awaken the New Spirit in man.

I come prepared for My Task.

I call you as helpers.

I take you by the hand to the Source.

I shall live among you. (Maitreya, from Message No. 100)

We are here to serve the Plan of evolution in so far as we have been presented with an aspect of that Plan – not only an aspect but one of the major aspects of that Plan: preparation for the externalization of the Spiritual Hierarchy on to the outer plane. That is momentous.

We are living in momentous times; I cannot say it strongly enough. This is a time unlike any there has ever been before. I doubt if this particular opportunity for service has ever been presented to a group before. Many times in His Messages Maitreya has said: “This is an opportunity for service unlike ought seen before.” If He says it, you can be sure it is a reality. Never have so many people had this opportunity for service, this opportunity – at their level – to do something of major importance. That is
why groups like this should recognize the opportunity, and the privilege given by it, to do their very best to live up to the opportunity presented and not waste it in competition or greed, or simple self-awareness and self-contemplation – which everyone has moments of but which, with dedication to the work, should be very rarely seen. (Benjamin Creme, The Art of Co-operation)

The counsel of Maitreya will show men that they have nothing to fear but their fear. That a blessed future awaits man if he will but act in his own best interests. That the Intention of God is man’s greatest good. He will show that men must act to create the world they want; that He comes not to save but to point the way. He will empower all who take upon themselves the burden and joy of service. He will anoint all who share His burden. (Benjamin Creme’s Master, from ‘God’s Representative’)

World service is serving the world’s needs, wherever you find the need … This group is making the initial approach to the public about the externalization of the Hierarchy, which includes the Reappearance of the Christ in the world. That is quite a big task. That does not mean that you should not be involved in helping starving children either next door or around the world. Of course, you do whatever you can in terms of answering the need, but you organize your time and energy in such a way that you do what other groups,
other individuals, do not do. How many groups or individuals are telling the world of Maitreya’s presence? That is the task. If everyone were doing it, it would not become such a priority for this group. It is precisely the uniqueness of, and also the pressures, the difficulties and the opportunities presented by, that idea, which is strong, magnetic enough, to draw together people from all over the world into making known the fact of the Christ’s presence. This involves responding to His intentions for the world (which are to do with world service) and generating
the conditions in which He can emerge into the world. That is a major task. So, inevitably, we must focus on that and not disperse our energies in different directions. (Benjamin Creme, Maitreya’s Mission Volume Two)

Let Me speak to you once more about Love, about Sharing and Justice, for these are the basis and the crown of your lives.

When mankind knows Love, Justice and Sharing, mankind will know God.

May it not be that you have heard of Love before, yet find it difficult to manifest?

Why should this be so, My friends, when your nature is Love Itself? Essentially you are God, and God and Love are One. Manifest That which you are, My brothers and sisters, and become the Gods that you are.

There is no quicker way to God than through the manifestation of Love, Justice and Service.

Serve and grow in Love, My friends, and realize your Godhead.

Grow through Love and Service, and come with Me to your Source. (Maitreya, from Message No. 106)

The Great Service has called [Maitreya], once again, into the arena of everyday life and gladly has He answered that call. Serve with Him and change the world. Not alone by Him can it be done; His hands, as He has said, are tied by Law.

His emergence, when complete, will act as a signal to galvanize into action those now waiting in the wings. Across the world His words will flow, encouraging all to stake their claim to life and to abandon for ever the separation of the past. Stand, now, with Him, in the vanguard of change and add your voice to the clamour for justice and truth. (Benjamin Creme’s Master, from ‘The Turning Point’)

This is the chance for everybody to serve the world as never in their history because the problems of today, and the change from this problematic world into the new world, the New Age, will never be repeated. There will be new ages, but this is a crisis point in the history of humanity and the world. So we, those of us who have shown our concern in various ways, should remember that the time is short to pull out everything we have, every ounce of strength, concentration and enthusiasm for the task of speaking to the world,
to make known the fact of the presence of Maitreya, the presence of certain Masters, the eventual externalization of the work of a large section of the Masters. (Benjamin Creme, The World Teacher for all Humanity)

Out of the anarchic conditions of the present must He construct the new and better order. Out of the agony of millions must He fashion a new world.

Who is there to help Him in His work of salvage?

Who would rally to His cause and aid their brothers and sisters?

Now, as never before, is the opportunity to serve a world in labour, a new world waiting to be born.

Maitreya seeks to lift man into his birthright. He seeks to inspire the creation of a new and happier world. The Great Lord seeks to invest each individual life with sanctity and worth.

He seeks to rid the world of violence and war.

Where will He find His helpers?

Who are ready to respond?

Who have the courage to aid the Lord of Love?

He knows already those on whom He can depend.

Make ready to see Him.

Burnish bright your resolve.

Be not dismayed by the immensity of the task.

Be simple and heartfelt in all you do.

Maitreya approaches, fast, on a shining white steed.

His mantram is: fear not!

All, in time, will be renewed.

All, in time, will be returned to the Light.

Consider this: “Take your brother’s need as the measure for your action, and solve the problems of the world. There is no other course.” (Benjamin Creme’s Master, from ‘The entry of Maitreya’)

To serve anew

Since the time is short indeed till mankind sees the Christ, it would be wise to consider, somewhat, the likely repercussions of that momentous event. Firstly, men will awaken to a new situation, one altogether unfamiliar and strange: nothing similar will have been the experience of anyone alive; no one, anywhere, will have heard before the thoughts broadcast on that day of days. Never, before, will men have heard the call to their divinity, the challenge to their presence here on Earth. Each, singly, and solemnly alone,
will know for that time the purpose and meaning of their lives, will experience anew the grace of childhood, the purity of aspiration cleansed of self. For these precious minutes, men will know afresh the joy of full participation in the realities of Life, will feel connected one to another, like the memory of a distant past.

Suddenly, men will realize that their life till now was a shallow thing, lacking, for the majority, all that makes life dear: brotherhood and justice, creativeness and love. Many will know for the first time that they count, that they matter in the scheme of things. An unfamiliar sense of self-esteem will replace their present hopelessness; drugs of all kinds will cease their hold on men. Quietly, men’s tears will flow in humble gratitude and longing for the good.

From that time forwards, a new spirit of sanctity will prevail upon the Earth; men will walk on tiptoe for a time. Soon, however, men will realize that the changes needed in the world are vast, manifold, requiring patience and dedication, imagination and trust. Before long, men everywhere will engage themselves in the work of reconstruction, the rehabilitation of the world. Succour for the poor and hungry will take pride of place, and so will end for ever a blasphemy in men’s midst: millions will know for the first time the
quiet happiness of satisfied need – no more will the dying forms of the starving disgrace the screens of the affluent; no longer will men watch their brothers dying before their eyes. So will end a dark chapter in the history of the race.

Changes, unequalled in extent, will engage men’s minds and hearts; naught but the finest of the past will prevail against the onslaught of the new. Daily, the transformations will be recorded for men to compare and admire; a new world will be constructed in the blazing light of day. All will, in their way, participate, each will add his vision and contribute to the whole.

For many, the very presence of the Christ will constitute a problem – their long-held beliefs will be shaken to their core. For them, a period of heart searching will be inevitable as they seek to understand the meaning of the new dispensation; ancient beliefs die hard and hurt bitterly in the process. Nevertheless, millions will respond with a glad heart, happy to accept the Teacher in their midst. Few, in time, will stand against the common acknowledgment that the Christ, in the person of Maitreya, walks once more upon
the Earth.

Those relatively few who have led the way in preparation for this time will find themselves offered another field of service: an educational endeavour vast in scope. From all sides will come the queries; a long-felt hunger for knowledge will, like a dammed-up river, overflow and burst its banks. Many will seek to know the background and history of this event; for others, the immediate future will be the chief concern. Still others will feel the need to analyse and to question every explanation, unsatisfied in the end with
aught but their own beliefs. Persuasion and tact, therefore, must be the order of the day, so to avoid the charge of bigotry and pride.

Societies, worldwide, will play their part, assuring the broad dissemination of the needed teachings. Much remains to be given, but, already, much remains unopened and unread in the hands of men. Endeavour, the counsel is, to inculcate the habit of reading much, thus to inform and guide the seekers on the way. Systematic study of the teachings, and earnest attempts to live the precepts of Maitreya, will give the needed balance and authority with which to teach. Each one, thus equipped, can avail themselves of this
opportunity to serve anew. Seize it, the counsel is, with alacrity and humble pride. (Benjamin Creme’s Master)

The call to service

When the call to service sounds, it behoves each earnest disciple to grasp the opportunity presented with both hands. Seldom is the call repeated, for the Masters have little time to waste. “Many are called but few are chosen” should read: “Many are called but few respond.”

Thus it is in the Great Service; only the elect realize the blessing conferred by the opportunity to serve the Plan. Service is the sacred duty which allows the disciple to shorten by many lives his sojourn on this Earth. Many know this but balk at the lightest task. Many forget the pledge they made long ago and shrug off the inner unease. Not for nothing do the Masters sadly shake Their heads and search once more among the waiting lights.

Not all who serve realize they do so. So instinctive is their response to the soul’s or Master’s call that they plunge in boldly without a second thought. So decentralized are they that the world’s need is their only concern. They serve as they breathe, but in relation to the needs of the time they are few indeed. We on the inner side look for those who know, somewhat, the Plan, and whose priorities are sound. We search for those whose ardour is strong and whose hearts are aflame with love and sacrifice. We welcome such
brave ones into Our midst and gladly present a field of service. Then We stand aside and watch. Over and again, their first glad steps slow and falter. Too often, their bright expectations turn to boredom and doubt, their lofty aspiration shrivels and dies.

The failure of faith looms large in these sad happenings. Without faith nothing lasting may be done, and for lack of this one quality many promising disciples have failed. Not for nothing, down the ages, have the teachings emphasized the need for faith, seeing it as the very heart of service.

Faith, to be sure, does not mean blind acceptance and belief. On the contrary, true faith rises only when the intuition, the voice of the soul, prompts an inner knowing, and, past all gainsaying, the heart tells you: this is true. When that moment comes, clasp firmly to you this new-found truth and “stay there”. When the voices of envy and doubt assail you, keep serenely to your task. Remember that your mind belongs to you and no one has the right to tell you what to think.

Cultivate a wise rhythm which will allow your service to expand naturally. Eschew a service done in fits and starts for in this way is all momentum lost. Remember that you are here to serve the Plan. That, if you did but know it, is your soul’s wish. As you make contact with the soul, the objectivization of experience begins to take place. The soul has no preference, no desire; it relates only to that which is consonant with its purpose, which is to serve the Plan of evolution to the greatest degree possible.

The time will come when the influence of the Masters will provide a field of study and experience by which those now standing on the threshold will enter into the realm of light and knowledge and know themselves for what they are. There are many awaiting the creation of a New Age whose manifestation will profoundly affect the structures of their time. Serve and grow, serve and grow should be the keynote of your lives. (Benjamin Creme’s Master)

From the January - February 2008 issue of Share International magazine.